His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani (pictured) has confirmed he and Qatari racing colleague Abdullah Al-Sulaiti will attempt to set a new Trans-Gulf speed record for the passage between Abu Dhabi and Qatar in February.

The exact timing of the Gulf crossing between Abu Dhabi and Qatar will depend on weather conditions, but staff at the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) in Doha are currently working to prepare the twin gas turbine-engined Nor-Tech boat, Qatar Challenger. Sheikh Hassan is hoping either for the weekend of February 5-6th or 12-13th.

Read the full story here: http://www.mby.com/news/439227/new-attempt-to-set-trans-gulf-speed-crossing

The RYA Spring power and sail muster is to be held at Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of Wight 23-25 April.

Designed for sailors and motor boaters alike, the weekend event incorporates boating master classes, boat handling and taster sessions, as well as expert presentations and skill building activities.

You’ll also have the opportunity to chat with industry experts about any issues you may have on your own boat on a one-to-one basis throughout the weekend.

Read the full story here: http://www.pbo.co.uk/news/439180/booking-opens-for-rya-spring-power-and-sail-muster-2010

America's Cup challengers Oracle sailed their trimaran "USA" for the first time in Valencia on Tuesday despite doubt over the planned duel with Alinghi.

The US yacht, with its 50m fixed-wing sail, took to the waters off the Mediterranean port of Valencia, Spain.

Oracle and holders Alinghi are due to meet in a best-of-three event from 8 February to decide the 33rd edition of yachting's most prestigious prize.

Read the full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/sailing/8469163.stm

Visitors to the ExCel London Boat Show were 9 per cent down on last year, at 102,655 according to National Boat Show's count which is yet to be audited. More than 44,500 visitors streamed through the gates over the final three days but this was not enough to make up for the quiet start to the show.

Read the full story here: http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/438752/boat-show-numbers-down-by-9-per-cent

Quadriplegic yachtswoman Hilary Lister has announce her intention to compete in the 2011 Fastnet Race in a Class 40 boat and is now actively seeking sponsors for this project.

Hilary, who is paralysed from the neck down, became the first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain in 2009, controlling her boat entirely with her breath. This feat led to her becoming one of the four woman finalists in the 2009 ISAF World Sailor of the Year awards.

Read the full story here: http://www.pbo.co.uk/news/438935/hilary-lister-to-race-in-fastnet-2011

Sunseeker hit back today at industry rumours that it had been taken over by KPMG, but did concede that a company restructuring expert had joined the board of the Poole boatbuilder.

The statement from Sunseeker comes in response to wild-fire rumours that the entire board had been deposed in some kind of palace coup. The company denies this is the case, but revealed that several key changes had taken place at board level.

Read the full story here: http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/news/438961/sunseeker-hits-back-at-takeover-rumours

Following Cork's collision with a reef two nights ago, the team at Clipper Ventures has been working closely with marine salvage experts and insurance assessors to understand whether the racing yacht is recoverable.

Read the full article here: http://www.pbo.co.uk/news/438727/clipper-to-be-left-to-her-fate

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and one California woman set out to prove it this month. Nicole MacDonald, from Newport Beach, California, is accused of setting fire to a boat at the Lido Peninsula Marina off Channel Road.

Read the full story here: http://www.boatinsurance.org/bitter-babe-burns-boyfriend's-boat/

Oh dear. At least the crew are all safe.

Lighthouses around the coast of the UK, including at Beachy Head, could be switched off, a review by Trinity House has revealed. The organisation in charge of England's coastal navigation aids is considering switching off the light and fog horn at Beachy Head, claiming that modern navigation equipment has made the lighthouse less important for negotiating the coast.

Read the full story here: http://www.pbo.co.uk/news/438436/beachy-head-lighthouse-faces-switch-off